Cosmetic orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the modification of misaligned teeth to improve their appearance and function. This type of treatment helps to spread the bite pressure evenly over all teeth, which in turn helps to maintain long-term oral health. On the other hand, cosmetic dentistry is the type of dental care you need when you want to improve the look of your smile. Both orthodontics and aesthetic dentistry work with your teeth to achieve a more aesthetic and pleasant smile.
However, there may be some confusion about what exactly each branch of dentistry entails and the difference between the two. Cosmetic dentistry, practiced by orthodontists, addresses more of the structural problems of our teeth and mouth. Generally, it is based on orthodontics or prosthodontics, which is related to the placement of teeth and coordination with the general dental processes of chewing, talking, etc. Aesthetic dentists evaluate the entire tooth structure of patients to determine the type of treatment that is needed to improve a person's appearance, especially when smiling, as well as the ability of the teeth to perform the designated work.
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the “cosmetic side” of the spectrum, limiting treatment to mainly superficial areas of the teeth. Orthodontics, however, takes a different approach. It is a specialty of dentistry that involves adjusting the alignment of the teeth and jaw. The Nova Dental team helps patients of all ages regain their confidence by diagnosing, preventing and correcting misaligned teeth.
Orthodontic treatment is provided by an oral health care provider known as an orthodontist, who has completed two to three years of additional training beyond dental school. There are a few different orthodontic treatments that can help you straighten your teeth and improve bite alignment, giving you a healthier and more cosmetically attractive smile. If patient mentality is a key differentiator between aesthetic dentistry and orthodontics, one overlooked subdivision is the dentist's variable mentality. Both orthodontists and cosmetic dentists are specialists who can help you correct imperfections that prevent you from having the ideal appearance of your teeth.
For example, if you have spaces between your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can use veneers to cover your teeth and help you achieve a perfect smile in just a few visits. In some cases, patients looking for cosmetic work can achieve their best appearance with the help of orthodontics, just as those who require orthodontic work can benefit from cosmetic procedures. A dentist can treat many of the same problems as an orthodontist, but generally a dentist will place more cosmetically pleasing braces or aligners. For example, if a tooth was chipped or broken during an accident, a cosmetic dentist can repair the damage or use porcelain crowns to cover it. Although both work with teeth, aesthetic dentists and orthodontists are not one in the same thing, each has specific skills to help patients get the smile they deserve and address the problems that have been plaguing them. Aesthetic dentists are trained in the latest procedures and innovative techniques to help improve the appearance of your smile, focusing on surface problems and not addressing structural changes in the mouth. You should look for a cosmetic dentist if you want to whiten your smile and improve your overall dental aesthetics.
Many cosmetic dentists use some of the most advanced procedures to improve oral health in order to achieve a bright white smile or perfectly aligned teeth. Although each patient is unique, there are underlying and distinct behavioral patterns that cosmetic dentists and orthodontists must adapt to.
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